theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl 
ˌthir-ˈe-ti-kəl
variants
or less commonly theoretic
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-tik
ˌthir-ˈe-tik
1
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
gave as an example a theoretical situation
2
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications : speculative
theoretical physics
3
: given to or skilled in theorizing
a brilliant theoretical physicist
Examples of theoretical in a Sentence
On a theoretical level, hiring more people seems logical.
The idea is purely theoretical at this point.
The danger is more than just a theoretical possibility.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Dutch theoretical physicist, now a professor emeritus at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, has spent much of the past half-century reshaping our understanding of the fundamental forces that knit together reality.
—
Lee Billings, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2025
Legacy power grids, water systems and emergency response networks are no longer theoretical.
—Marty Sprinzen, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
His setup—which was purely theoretical—resembled a highly customizable pinball machine.
—Charlie Wood, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2025
Saul Loeb | Afp | Getty Images President Trump’s new tariff regime, formally triggered by his invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, is no longer theoretical.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
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Lee Billings, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2025
Legacy power grids, water systems and emergency response networks are no longer theoretical.
—Marty Sprinzen, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
His setup—which was purely theoretical—resembled a highly customizable pinball machine.
—Charlie Wood, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2025
Saul Loeb | Afp | Getty Images President Trump’s new tariff regime, formally triggered by his invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, is no longer theoretical.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theoretical. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈret-i-kəl
ˌthi(-ə)r-ˈet-
variants
also theoretic
1
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: limited to theory or speculation : speculative
theoretical physics
2
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
a theoretical situation
theoretically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
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